Feed paddle for a processing apparatus

Abstract

An improved feed mechanism for a processor of solid objects includes a plunging paddle connected via connectors and eccentrics to a rotating shaft driven by a motor. The rotating shaft has an axis offset from the centers of the eccentrics. The plunging paddle plunges product on a conveyor belt from a feed tank to create a single layer for conveying the product to a processor.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A feed mechanism for a processor comprising:
 a plunging paddle having a flat bottom surface for agitating a product on a conveyor belt below the plunging paddle; 
 at least one connector extending from an upper surface opposite the flat bottom surface of the plunging paddle; 
 an eccentric comprising a disc housed in the connector; and 
 a rotatable shaft received in an opening of the eccentric, wherein the opening is offset from the center of the disc. 
 
     
     
       2. The feed mechanism of  claim 1 , further comprising a drive mechanism for rotating the shaft to cause the paddle to engage in a plunging motion. 
     
     
       3. The feed mechanism of  claim 1 , further comprising a pivotable guide arm extending between a fixed base and the connector for guiding the path of the plunging paddle. 
     
     
       4. The feed mechanism of  claim 1 , wherein the plunging paddle has a hexagonal cross section. 
     
     
       5. The feed mechanism of  claim 1 , wherein the connector comprises a key-hole shaped extension having a neck connected to the upper surface of the plunging paddle and a rounded top in which eccentric is housed. 
     
     
       6. The feed mechanism of  claim 1 , wherein a first connector is connect to a first side of the plunging paddle upper surface and a second connector is connected to a second side of the plunging paddle upper surface. 
     
     
       7. The feed mechanism of  claim 1 , wherein the rotatable shaft rotates in a direction such that an upper portion of the shaft rotates forward and the lower portion of the shaft rotates backwards, such that the plunging paddle plunges in a direction opposite a direction of travel of the conveyor belt. 
     
     
       8. An infeed section for a processor, comprising:
 a feed tank for storing product to be processed in a fluid bath; 
 an inclined conveyor belt for conveying product to be processed from the feed tank towards a processing section of the processor; and 
 a feed mechanism disposed above the conveyor belt outside of the feed tank for plunging product into a single layer on the conveyor belt, the feed mechanism comprising a plunging paddle connected to a rotatable shaft, the plunging paddle having a flat bottom surface and two beveled surfaces adjacent the flat bottom surface to form a shaped bottom to the plunging paddle. 
 
     
     
       9. The infeed section of  claim 8 , wherein the feed tank includes an opening for passing the conveyor belt therethrough. 
     
     
       10. The infeed section of  claim 9 , wherein the plunging paddle is adjacent to the opening in the feed tank. 
     
     
       11. The infeed section of  claim 8 , wherein the feed mechanism further comprises a first connector and a second connector extending from a top surface of the plunging paddle opposite the flat bottom surface and an eccentric disc housed in each connector. 
     
     
       12. The infeed section of  claim 11 , wherein the rotatable shaft passes through the eccentric discs, such that the axis of the rotatable shaft is offset from the centers of the eccentric discs. 
     
     
       13. The infeed section of  claim 11 , further comprising a pivotable guide arm extending between a fixed base and the first connector for guiding the path of the plunging paddle. 
     
     
       14. The infeed section of  claim 8 , wherein the plunging paddle has a hexagonal cross-section. 
     
     
       15. The infeed section of  claim 8 , wherein the plunging paddle spans the width of the conveyor belt. 
     
     
       16. The infeed section of  claim 8 , wherein plunging paddle plunges in a direction opposite a direction of travel of the conveyor belt. 
     
     
       17. A method of feeding product to a processor, comprising the steps of:
 providing product to be processed in a feed tank; 
 conveying the product from the feed tank using an inclined conveyor belt moving in a first direction of travel; and 
 plunging the product on the conveyor belt using a plunging paddle connected to a rotating shaft, wherein the plunging paddle plunges in a direction opposite the first direction of travel, the plunging paddle having a flat bottom surface and two beveled surfaces adjacent the flat bottom surface to form a shaped bottom to the plunging paddle. 
 
     
     
       18. The method of  claim 17 , wherein the rotating shaft is received in two eccentric discs connected to the paddle via connectors, wherein the axis of the rotating shaft is offset from the centers of the eccentric discs. 
     
     
       19. The method of  claim 17 , wherein the step of plunging the product comprises rotating the shaft using a motor to cause the paddle to plunge. 
     
     
       20. The feed mechanism of  claim 1 , wherein the plunging paddle includes two beveled surfaces adjacent the flat bottom surface to form a shaped bottom to the plunging paddle.